Head and neck radiation shield structure

ABSTRACT

A shield structure configured to protect a head and/or neck of a patient during a radiologic procedure comprises a bottom wall, a side wall, and an opening. The bottom wall includes radiation attenuating material and is configured to be positioned between the head and/or neck of the patient and a radiation source so as to shield the patient from radiation directed toward the bottom of the patient. The bottom wall is of a general size to shield the head and/or neck of the patient. The side wall includes radiation attenuating material and is configured to extend upward from the bottom wall so as to shield the patient from radiation directed toward a side of the patient. The opening is configured to receive the head and/or neck of the patient.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/681,991 filed Jun. 7, 2018, the disclosure of whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to head and neck radiation shieldstructures.

BACKGROUND

Radiation exposure is detrimental to human health. For example, acomprehensive review of available biologic and biophysical data supportsa “no-threshold” risk model for radiation exposure since the risk ofcancer may increase linearly at low doses of radiation without athreshold. Radiation has the potential to cause a small increased riskof malignancy in humans. (National Research Council. Health Risks fromExposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation: BEIR VII Phase 2.Washington, D.C.: National Academies, 2006.) The head and neck (inparticular the brain, eyes, and thyroid) are particularly sensitive toradiation. Accordingly, radiation exposure to the head and neck may beparticularly detrimental to the health of the patient.

However, many different medical radiologic procedures or examinations,such as electrophysiological procedures, cardiac catheterization,angioplasty, cardiac stenting, cardiac valve procedures, and orthopedicprocedures, require the use of radiation. Although many differenttechnologies attempt to avoid or minimize radiation during theseprocedures, there is still a moderate to high x-ray exposure asevidenced by reported fluoroscopy in numerous studies. (Cano O, AlonsoP, Osca J, et al. Initial experience with a new image integration moduledesigned for reducing radiation exposure during electrophysiologicalablation procedures. J Cardiovasc Electrophysial, 2015; 26: 662-670,Valderrabano M, Greenberg S, Razavi H, et al. 3D cardiovascularnavigation system: accuracy and reduction in radiation exposure in leftventricular lead implant. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, 2014; 25: 87-93.)Implant procedures may incur a higher exposure to the practitioner sincethe x-ray generator may be closer to the practitioner.

As shown in FIG. 17, during a radiologic procedure, a radiation source120, such as an x-ray tube below a table 110 holding the patient 10, mayemit radiation 122 (e.g., x-rays) as an active or direct radiation beam121 that is aimed toward an examination area 12 of the patient's body(i.e., the area of the patient's body that is intended to be examinedand is therefore intended to be exposed to radiation 122) in order toexpose the examination area 12 to radiation 122 and thereby allow theexamination area 12 to be examined. Most of the direct radiation beam121 enters into the patient's body in order to expose the examinationarea 12 to radiation 122 and allow the examination area 12 to beexamined and subsequently exits the patient's body. The examination area12 of the patient 10 receives some radiation 122 due to the directradiation beam 121. The entrance radiation dose 124 is the amount ofradiation 122 (both from the direct radiation beam 121 and any scatterradiation 123) that enters into the patient's body, and the exitradiation dose 126 is the amount of radiation 122 that exits from thepatient's body.

However, the emitted radiation 122 comprises both the direct radiationbeam 121 and scatter radiation 123. In particular, some radiation 122from the direct radiation beam 121 deflects, which causes the radiation122 to scatter and form “scatter radiation 123.” Scatter radiation 123refers to any radiation 122 that is outside of the direct radiation beam121. A portion of the radiation 122 may scatter before and/or after theradiation 122 enters into and exits from the patient's body. Some of thescatter radiation 123 enters into areas of the patient's body that arenot under examination, such as the patient's head and neck (as shown inFIG. 17). Accordingly, these areas of the patient's body not underexamination are also exposed to and receive radiation 122 due to thescatter radiation 123, which needlessly increases the patient's overallexposure to radiation 122 (i.e., the entrance radiation dose 124) andalso increases the amount of radiation 122 exiting the patient 10 (i.e.,the exit radiation dose 126), which may enter into and affect thepractitioners.

The practitioners are also exposed to the radiation 122, including boththe scatter radiation 123 that has not entered the patient's body andthe scatter radiation 123 that has entered and exited the patient's body(i.e., the exit radiation dose 126). The scatter radiation 123 fromareas of the patient's body that are not under examination, inparticular the patient's head and neck, needlessly increases the amountof radiation 122 that the practitioners are exposed to.

In order to reduce the amount of radiation 122 that the practitionersare exposed to (specifically due to the radiation 122 exiting thepatient), lead skirts that are attached to the side of the table 110,mobile shields, suspended plexiglass shields, and sterile pads placed ontop of or above the patient 10 may be used. However, most of thesedevices are only designed to shield the practitioners from the radiation122 exiting the patient 10. These devices do not protect the patient 10,in particular the patient's head and neck, from excessive radiation 122(e.g., scatter radiation 123) that enters into these areas of thepatient's body not under examination (in particular the patient's headand neck) and instead allow the patient to be needlessly exposed to thescatter radiation 123. Additionally, conventional shielding may noteasily be moved to allow visualization of certain anatomical structureswhen needed.

Therefore, certain procedures, such as cardiac catheterization, exposeareas of the patient's body that do not need to be visualized (such asthe patient's head and neck, which includes their thyroid) to radiation122, which needlessly increases both the patient's and thepractitioner's overall exposure to radiation 122.

In order to support and stabilize the patient's head (and neck) duringradiologic procedures, a conventional non-shielding head support 220 (asshown in FIGS. 18A-21C) may be placed on the table 110 and underneaththe patient's head. These non-shielding supports 220 provide arelatively comfortable surface for the patient 10 to rest their head onand prevent the patient's head from moving during the radiologicprocedure. The non-shielding supports 220 do not provide any shieldingfrom radiation 122 to the patient 10 or reduce any radiation exposure inorder to prevent interference with the radiologic procedure.

The non-shielding supports 220 may have a variety of differentconfigurations as shown in FIGS. 18A-21C. For example, as shown in FIGS.18A-18B, the non-shielding support 220 may be a gel pad that is shapedlike a horseshoe. The non-shielding support 220 of FIGS. 18A-18B isspecifically made out of a dry, viscoelastic polymer that is x-raytranslucent, radiolucent, and non-conductive. As shown, thenon-shielding support 220 of FIGS. 18A-18B includes a keyhole cutout inthe middle, which provides a clear air passageway for the patient andaids the anesthesiologist while the patient's body and head are in avariety of different positions. For example, the patient 10 may belaying in a prone, lateral, or side-facing position, and the patient'shead may be straight or turned to the side while using the non-shieldingsupport 220, depending on the procedure. The non-shielding support 220can be sized in order to be suitable for adults or pediatric/neonatalpatients. As shown in FIG. 19, the non-shielding support 220 may be acontoured, foam pad or pillow. As shown in FIG. 20, the non-shieldingsupport 220 may be a plastic brace. As shown in FIGS. 21A-21C, thenon-shielding support 220 may be a contoured, carbon fiber support.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments provide for a shield structure configured to protecta head and/or neck of a patient during a radiologic procedure thatcomprises a bottom wall, a side wall, and an opening. The bottom wallincludes radiation attenuating material and is configured to bepositioned between the head and/or neck of the patient and a radiationsource so as to shield the patient from radiation directed toward thebottom of the patient. The bottom wall is of a general size to shieldthe head and/or neck of the patient. The side wall includes radiationattenuating material and is configured to extend upward from the bottomwall so as to shield the patient from radiation directed toward a sideof the patient. The opening is configured to receive the head and/orneck of the patient.

Various other embodiments provide for a method of protecting a headand/or neck of a patient during a radiologic procedure. The methodcomprises positioning the head and/or neck of the patient in a shieldstructure and exposing the patient to radiation to conduct theradiologic procedure. The shield structure has a bottom wall thatincludes radiation attenuating material and is positioned between thehead and/or neck of the patient and a radiation source and a side wallthat includes radiation attenuating material and extends upward from thebottom wall.

These and other features (including, but not limited to, retainingfeatures and/or viewing features), together with the organization andmanner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the followingdetailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like elements have like numerals throughout theseveral drawings described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side view of a head and neck radiation shield structure onan examination table and in a retracted position according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 1B is a side view of the shield structure of FIG. 1A in an extendedposition.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the shield structure of FIG. 1A in theretracted position.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the shield structure of FIG. 1A in theextended position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the shield structure of FIG. 1A withcertain dimensions according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the shield structure of FIG. 1A withcertain dimensions according to another embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a top view of a lower wall of the shield structure of FIG.1A.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the lower wall of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a side view of a static wall of the shield structure of FIG.1A.

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the static wall of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is a side view of a movable wall of the shield structure of FIG.1A.

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the movable wall of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a fastener according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8B is a side view of the fastener of FIG. 8A in an extendedposition.

FIG. 8C is a side view of the fastener of FIG. 8A in a retractedposition.

FIG. 8D is a top view of the fastener of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of a static wall according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of a movable wall according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view of the static wall of FIG. 9A and themovable wall of FIG. 9B attached to each other.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the shield structure of FIG. 1A in theretracted position.

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the shield structure of FIG. 1A in theextended position.

FIG. 11A is a side view of the shield structure of FIG. 1A in theretracted position.

FIG. 11B is a side view of the shield structure of FIG. 1A in theextended position.

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the shield structure of FIG. 1A withonly the top movable wall in the extended position.

FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the shield structure of FIG. 1A withonly one of the side movable walls in the extended position.

FIG. 12C is a perspective view of the shield structure of FIG. 1A withonly the top movable wall and one of the side movable walls in theextended position.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the shield structure of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the shield structure of FIG. 1A in theextended position.

FIG. 15 is a depiction of the proportion of different body segmentscompared to age, as illustrated by Huelke D F.

FIG. 16 is a graph of head circumference of boys compared to their age,as documented by the World Health Organization.

FIG. 17 is a side view of a patient on a radiation table during aradiologic procedure.

FIGS. 18A-18B are perspective views of conventional non-shielding headsupports.

FIG. 19 is a side view of a conventional non-shielding head support.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a conventional non-shielding headsupport.

FIG. 21A is a side view of a conventional non-shielding head support.

FIG. 21B is a front view of the conventional non-shielding head supportof FIG. 21A.

FIG. 21C is a top view of the conventional non-shielding head support ofFIG. 21A.

FIG. 22 is a side view of a patient, while being exposed to radiationfrom a radiation source, on a conventional examination table.

FIG. 23 is a side view of a patient, while being exposed to radiationfrom a radiation source, on an examination table with a shield structureaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a side view of a shield structure on a table according to oneembodiment that includes skirts.

FIG. 25 is a front side view of the shield structure of FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a side view of the shield structure of FIG. 24 withoutskirts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the figures, disclosed herein is a head and neckradiation shield structure, as shown according to exemplary embodiments,that may be used to protect the head and neck of a patient from harmfulionizing radiation by minimizing, reducing, blocking, decreasing, orstopping at least portions of radiation from entering into the head andneck (in particular the thyroid) of the patient during radiologyprocedures. The head and neck radiation shield structure reducespenetration of radiation into the patient's head and neck (whichincludes the thyroid) during radiologic procedures in which thepatient's head and neck are not directly involved in the imaging fieldand are not intended to be examined, while still allowing thepractitioner to easily access the patient's head and neck. Accordingly,the head and neck radiation shield structure protects both the patientand the practitioners by reducing or minimizing both the patient's andthe practitioners' overall exposure to ionizing radiation duringradiology procedures or examinations.

The head and neck radiation shield structure still allows other areas ofthe patient's body (that are outside of the patient's head and neckregion) to be exposed to ionizing radiation in order to allow theseareas to be examined through radiation. Due to the potential healthconsequences of radiation exposure to a patient's head and neck, it ishighly beneficial to use the head and neck radiation shield structure toreduce or block radiation exposure to the patient's head and neck.

Head and Neck Radiation Shield Structure

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, the patient 10 may lay on the procedure,radiology, or examination table 110 during a radiology procedure. Thetable 110 may, for example, be a horizontal table constructed out of amaterial that does not materially affect emitted radiation (e.g., clearplexiglass or carbon fiber). The radiation source 120 may be positionedunderneath the table 110 and emit radiation 122 (e.g., x-rays) fromunderneath the table 110. Accordingly, the radiation 122 moves throughthe table 110 and toward an examination area 12 of the patient's body.The head and neck radiation shield structure 20 is configured to be usedwithin radiologic procedures in which at least a portion of the head andneck regions of the patient's body are not intended to be examined (andtherefore do not need to be exposed to ionizing radiation).

As shown in FIG. 17 and described further herein, some of the radiation122 during a radiologic procedure is deflected outside of the directradiation beam 121 and instead is emitted as scatter radiation 123.Without the head and neck radiation shield structure 20, the scatterradiation 123 (and/or the direct radiation beam 121) may be directed toand enter into a variety of different areas of the patient's bodyoutside of the examination area 12, including the head and neck regionof the patient 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, the head and neck radiation shield assembly orstructure (referred to herein as the “shield structure 20”) protects thehead and neck region of the patient 10 (which includes the patient'sthyroid) from being exposed to radiation 122 during radiologicprocedures. Accordingly, the shield structure 20 protects both thepatient and the practitioners (e.g., the doctors, physicians, medicalstaff, and operators) that are nearby the patient 10) from excessive andunnecessary exposure to radiation by selectively blocking or preventingradiation 122 (in particular, the scatter radiation 123) fromunnecessarily entering into the patient's head and neck region. Theshield structure 20 still, however, allows the examination area 12 ofthe patient 10 to be exposed to radiation 122 for examination purposes.

Accordingly, the shield structure 20 significantly reduces the overallamount of radiation exposure to (i.e., the amount of radiation 122traveling through) both the patient 10 and the practitioners bypreventing radiation 122 from entering into the patient's head and neckregion, which reduces the amount of entrance radiation dose 124 to thepatient 10. By reducing the amount of entrance radiation dose 124 intothe patient 10, the amount of exit radiation dose 126 from the patient10 is reduced, which thus reduces the practitioners' exposure toradiation. The shield structure 20 shields the patient 10 from radiation122 in four critical areas: the left anterior oblique area, the rightanterior oblique area, the cranial area, and the posterior area.

The shield structure 20 is a shell or structure that blocks radiationfrom entering into the patient's head and neck. According to oneembodiment as shown in FIGS. 2A-4 and described further herein, theshield structure 20 comprises a wall structure that comprises at leastone wall that shields various sides of the patient's head and neck. Inparticular, the wall structure shields the back (or front, depending onthe position of the patient), sides, and/or top of the patient's headand neck. The wall structure may extend around one side or multiplesides of the patient's head and neck. For example, the wall structuremay be configured to be positioned between the patient's head and neckand the top surface of the table 110. Alternatively or additionally, thewall structure may extend vertically above the table 110 such that theshield structure 20 extends vertically along at least a portion of thepatient's head and neck.

According to one embodiment, as described further herein, the wallstructure of the shield structure 20 comprises a plurality of walls(e.g., a lower or bottom wall 30 and at least one static or side wall50). The static wall 50 may be a part of a wall set 90 that optionallyfurther includes a movable side wall 70. According to one embodiment,the shield structure 20 may be a box with four enclosed sides (i.e., thelower wall 30 and three static or side walls 50 (e.g., a front wall, afirst side wall portion, and a second side wall portion) and two opensides. The two open sides provide an area for the patient's neck toextend along and allow the practitioner to easily access the patientduring the radiologic procedure.

As described further herein, the movable walls 70 are each independentlymovable between a retracted position 96 and an extended position 98relative to the static walls 50 and the lower wall 30 in order toprovide either more shielding or more access to the patient's head andneck along different areas of the patient's head and neck, according tothe desired configuration and the specific procedure. However, theshield structure 20 still provides shielding and protection to thepatient's head and neck, regardless of the position of the movable walls70.

According to another embodiment, the wall structure of the shieldstructure 20 comprises only one single wall that may be created as onecontinuous, unitary wall that is constructed as an integral,single-piece and cannot be separated without destruction. The singlewall of the wall structure may be flat or curved and may extend aroundone or multiple sides of the patient's head and neck during use.According to one embodiment, the single wall may substantially extendonly horizontally along the top surface of the table 110 in asubstantially horizontal orientation such that, during use, the singlewall extends along only the back of the patient's head and neck (whenthe patient is lying with their back on the table 110). According toanother embodiment, the single wall may substantially extend onlyvertically above the top surface of the table 110 in a substantiallyvertical orientation such that, during use, the single wall extendsalong only a side or top of the patient's head and neck (when thepatient is lying with their back on the table 110). According to anotherembodiment, the single wall may curve around at least a portion of thepatient's head and neck (i.e., along 2, 3, or 4 sides of the patient'shead and neck) in a substantially “U” shape. For example, the singlewall may comprise a first portion that is the lower wall 30 and a secondportion that is the static wall 50, where the lower wall 30 and thestatic wall 50 are created as one continuous, curved wall that isconstructed as an integral, single-piece and cannot be separated withoutdestruction.

As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the shield structure 20 may have a variety ofdifferent dimensions, according to the desired configuration and use.For example, the shield structure 20 may be shaped, sized, andproportioned in order to be optimally suitable for an adult patient (asshown with the shield structure 20 in FIG. 3) or to be optimallysuitable for a pediatric patient, such as a neonatal patient, an infant,a baby, or a child (as shown with the shield structure 20 in FIG. 4).(Additionally, the shield structure 20 may also be shaped, sized, andproportioned in order to be optimally suitable for adolescents.) Byhaving different sizes and proportions for adult patients compared topediatric patients, the shield structure 20 can most effectively shieldthe patient 10 according to their head and neck size and proportion. Theproportion of various body segments, in particular the head compared tothe rest of the body, in adults compared to pediatrics is substantiallydifferent, as shown in FIG. 15. (Huelke D F. An Overview of AnatomicalConsiderations of Infants and Children in the Adult World of AutomobileSafety Design. Annual Proceedings/Association for the Advancement ofAutomotive Medicine. 1998; 42:93-113, which states that “at birth thehead is one-fourth the total body length, whereas the adult it isone-seventh.”) Additionally, the World Health Organization documentsthat the head circumference of pediatrics under the age of one yearincreases substantially more rapidly than the head circumference ofpediatrics between the ages of one and five years, as shown in FIG. 16.

In order to account for the proportional differences between adultpatients and pediatric patients, the shield structure 20 may be sizedand proportioned accordingly. In particular, the shield structure 20 forpediatric patients may have a relatively more square shape (i.e., may beproportionally more wide) than the shield structure 20 for adultpatients in order to more adequately accommodate for the head of thepediatric patient (which may be proportionally more wide than the headof an adult patient). For example only, for an adult patient (as shownwith the shield structure 20 in FIG. 3), the shield structure height SH(while in the retracted position 96) may be approximately 5 inches, theshield structure length SL may be approximately 15 inches, and theshield structure width SW may be approximately 12 inches. For apediatric patient (as shown with the shield structure 20 in FIG. 4), theshield structure height SH (while in the retracted position 96) may beapproximately 3 inches, the shield structure length SL may beapproximately 10 inches, and the shield structure width SW may beapproximately 10 inches.

For reference, the shield structure length SL extends along the sideedges 39 of the lower wall 30, and the shield structure width SW extendsalong the top edge 36 of the lower wall 30 (where the bottom edge 38 ofthe lower wall 30 is a free edge and open to provide an area for thepatient's neck to extend through during use). Accordingly, the sidestatic walls 51 and the side movable walls 71 in a pediatric shieldstructure 20 are approximately the same size as the top static wall 53and the top movable wall 73 in the pediatric shield structure 20.Comparatively, the side static walls 51 and the side movable walls 71 inan adult shield structure 20 are larger than (in particular longer than)the top static wall 53 and the top movable wall 73 in the adult shieldstructure 20.

It is understood that the shield structure 20 may be used with a varietyof different types of procedures to visualize hard and/or soft tissue,including but not limited to percutaneous radiologic procedures and withdifferent types of radiation 122, including but not limited to x-rays.Since the shield structure 20 blocks radiation 122 from entering intothe patient's head and neck, the shield structure 20 may be used withinradiologic procedures in which the patient's head and neck do not needto be examined or exposed to radiation 122. However, the shieldstructure 20 may also be used within radiologic procedures in which onlya portion of the patient's head and neck is being examined (and istherefore exposed to radiation 122). For example, the shield structure20 may be positioned relative to the patient's head and neck to suchthat the shield structure 20 blocks radiation 122 from entering into aportion of the patient's head and/or neck, while allowing anotherportion of the patient's head and/or neck to be exposed to radiation122. Furthermore, since the shield structure 20 may not be secured tothe table 110 (according to one embodiment), the shield structure 20 caneasily be completely removed from the table 110 in the event that thepractitioner would like to expose the patient's entire head and neck toradiation.

The various materials within the shield structure 20 are used to preventcorrosion since the shield structure 20 will be used around and withvarious cleaning detergents and saline solutions. Furthermore, thevarious components of the shield structure 20 are designed to be easilycleaned.

In order to support and stabilize the patient's head (and neck) duringradiologic procedures and increase the comfort of the patient 10, one ofthe conventional non-shielding supports 220 (as shown in FIGS. 18A-21Cand as described further herein) may be used in conjunction with theshield structure 20. For example, the non-shielding supports 220 may beplaced on top of the inner surface 32 of the lower wall 30, within theshield structure 20, in order to provide an specific area within theshield structure 20 for the patient 10 to rest their head on. The lowerwall 30 is large enough in order to fit a non-shielding support 220 onthe inner surface 32 of the lower wall 30 and between the static walls50.

The shield structure 20 may include additional components in order tohold certain medical devices during the radiologic procedure. Forexample, the static walls 50 may include a mechanism to attach to, hold,and support or tether a tracheal tube, such as an endotracheal tube.

Lower or Bottom Wall

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the lower or bottom panel, shield, or wall 30is configured to extend along the back of the patient's head and neckand contain a radiation attenuating material in order to block radiation122 from entering into the patient's head and/or neck from behind thepatient 10 (when the patient 10 is laying with their back against thetop surface of the table 110 and facing the ceiling). However, dependingon the position of the patient 10 with respect to the shield structure20, the lower wall 30 may extend along other portions of the patient'shead and neck, such as the front or sides of the patient's head andneck. The lower wall 30 extends substantially horizontally, ispositioned along a lower portion of the shield structure 20, and is thebase of the shield structure 20.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5A-5B, the lower wall 30 includes an inner (orupper) surface 32, an outer (or lower) surface 34, a top edge 36, abottom edge 38, and two side edges 39. The inner surface 32 and theouter surface 34 are opposite each other, optionally substantiallyparallel to each other, and significantly larger in surface area thaneach of the edges 36, 38, 39. The top edge 36 and the bottom edge 38 areopposite each other and optionally substantially parallel to each other.The two side edges 39 are opposite each other and optionallysubstantially parallel to each other. The inner surface 32 and the outersurface 34, the top edge 36 and the bottom edge 38, and the two sideedges 39 are substantially perpendicular to each other.

The outer surface 34 of the lower wall 30 is positioned along and restson top of the top surface of the table 110 such that the table 110 isbelow the outer surface 34 of the lower wall 30, and the outer surface34 faces toward the top surface of the table 110 (as shown in FIGS.2A-2B). The lower wall 30 is optionally substantially parallel to thetop surface of the table 110. The patient rests their head (directly orindirectly) on the inner surface 32 of the lower wall 30 such that thepatient's head and neck are above the inner surface 32 of the lower wall30, and the inner surface 32 faces the patient's head and neck whenbeing used. Accordingly, the lower wall 30 is sandwiched between thepatient's head and neck region and the table 110.

Each of the static walls 50 are statically attached to three of the fouredges of the lower wall 30 and extend substantially perpendicularly tothe lower wall 30. In particular, each of the static walls 50 areattached to and extend along the top edge 36 or one of the two sideedges 39 of the lower wall 30. Each of the movable walls 70 also extendalong the top edge 36 or one of the two side edges 39 of the lower wall30. Accordingly, the static walls 50 and the movable walls 70 may eachbe side walls or top walls, depending on their position along the lowerwall 30. Neither the static walls 50 nor the movable walls 70 extendalong the entire length of the bottom edge 78 of the lower wall 30 inorder to provide an area for the patient's neck to extend through whiletheir head is on top of the lower wall 30. However, according to oneembodiment, the static walls 50 and the movable walls 70 may optionallyextend along a portion of the bottom edge 78 of the lower wall 30 inorder to provide additional shielding while still providing an open areaalong the bottom edge 78 that is wide enough to accommodate the width ofthe patient's neck. Accordingly, the top edge 36 of the lower wall 30extends along the top of the patient's head, each of the side edge 39 ofthe lower wall 30 extend along the each of sides of the patient's head(or the front or back of the patient's head, depending on the positionof the patient), and the bottom edge 38 extends along the width of theneck of the patient.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the lower wall 30 preferably includes multiplelayers. For example, the lower wall 30 includes at least one structuralor supporting layer 42 and at least one shielding layer 44. Both thestatic walls 50 and the movable walls 70 (as described further herein)also preferably include the supporting layers 42 and the shielding layer44. However, according to another embodiment, the lower wall 30, thestatic walls 50, and/or the movable walls 70 only include one layer(i.e., the shielding layer 44).

According to one embodiment, the shielding layer 44 is sandwiched orpositioned in between two supporting layers 42. All of the walls 30, 50,70 (and their components) may be constructed in order to be solventresistant and resilient in order to maintain their integrity while beingcleaned with hospital cleaners (i.e., provides a resilient barrier to,and that will not be denatured by, hospital disinfectants currentlyregistered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Additionally,the walls 30, 50, 70 (and their components) may be at least partiallycovered in and/or bonded by an epoxy resin in order to provide aprotective outer barrier for increased strength and in order to bestructurally resistant to various disinfectants or cleaning solutions(such that the structural integrity of the shield structure 20 does notdecrease as a result of being cleaned or disinfected).

The outer shell or supporting layer 42 is configured to providestructure or support for and at least partially cover the shieldinglayer 44. Accordingly, the supporting layer 42 may be constructed out ofa variety of different materials that provide structure or supportwithout being obtrusive to the patient or the practitioners, includingbut not limited to carbon fiber (which is strong, lightweight, andradiolucent), plastic, sealed wood, or aluminum. In a particularlypreferred embodiment, resin-infused carbon fiber may be used.Additionally, the supporting layer 42 may prevent the patient andpractitioners from coming in direct contact with the shielding layer 44.Further, the supporting layer 42 preferably provides a desired resilientbarrier. Accordingly, the supporting layer 42 may extend around all ofthe edges of the shielding layer 44 (as well as the two opposite sidesof the shielding layer 44), thereby fully encapsulating or surroundingthe shielding layer 44.

The shielding layer 44 is configured to block or attenuate radiation122. Accordingly, the shielding layer 44 may be constructed out of avariety of different materials that block or attenuate radiation 122,including but not limited to lead and/or aluminum. For example, theshielding layer may be a 0.02 to 0.039 inch (i.e., 0.5 to 1 millimeter)thick sheet of lead.

The supporting layer 42 and the shielding layer 44 may have a variety ofdifferent thicknesses, according to the desired configuration. Accordingto one embodiment, the supporting layer thickness ST may beapproximately 0.125 inches, and the shielding layer thickness TS may beapproximately 0.039 inches such that the total thickness TT of the lowerwall 30 (i.e., both of the supporting layers 42 and the shielding layer44) is approximately 0.289 inches.

Static or Side Wall

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the static or side panels, shields, or walls 50are configured to extend along the sides and top of the patient's headand neck and contain a radiation attenuating material in order to blockradiation 122 from entering into the patient's head and/or neck fromeither side or the top of the patient 10 (when the patient 10 is layingwith their back against the top surface of the table 110, facing theceiling). However, depending on the position of the patient 10 withrespect to the shield structure 20, the static walls 50 may extend alongother portions of the patient's head and neck, such as the front or backof the patient's head and neck. As described further herein, the staticwalls 50 may preferably include the supporting layers 42 and theshielding layer 44.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6A-6B, the static wall 50 includes an innersurface 52, an outer surface 54, a top edge 56, a bottom edge 58, andtwo side edges 59. The inner surface 52 and the outer surface 54 areopposite each other, optionally substantially parallel to each other,and significantly larger in surface area than each of the edges 56, 58,59. The top edge 56 and the bottom edge 58 are opposite each other andoptionally substantially parallel to each other. The two side edges 59are opposite each other and optionally substantially parallel to eachother. The inner surface 52 and the outer surface 54, the top edge 56and the bottom edge 58, and the two side edges 59 are substantiallyperpendicular to each other.

The static walls 50 are positioned substantially vertically (i.e., aresubstantially perpendicular to the lower wall 30 and the top surface ofthe table 110). The outer surface 54 of the static wall 50 faces awayfrom an inner region of the shield structure 20 (i.e., where thepatient's head and neck are positioned) and away from the patient 10.Additionally, the outer surface 54 of the static wall 50 faces towardthe movable wall 70 (in particular toward the inner surface 72 of themovable wall 70) and is configured to movably attach with the movablewall 70 (as described further herein). The inner surface 52 of thestatic wall 50 faces toward the patient 10 and toward the inner regionof the shield structure 20. Depending on position of the patient's headwithin the shield structure 20 and where the static wall 50 ispositioned along the lower wall 30, the inner surface 52 of the staticwall 50 may face the top, sides, front, or back of the patient's headand neck when the shield structure 20 is being used.

The static walls 50 are statically attached to the lower wall 30,specifically to or along three of the four edges of the lower wall 30(as described further herein). Depending on the position of the staticwall 50 relative to the lower wall 30, the static wall 50 is either aside static wall 51 or a top static wall 53 (as shown in FIG. 3). Inparticular, each of the bottom edges 58 of the side static walls 51 arepositioned or extend along and are statically attached to one of the twoside edges 39 of the lower wall 30. The bottom edge 58 of the top staticwall 53 is positioned or extends along and is statically attached to thetop edge 36 of the lower wall 30. Accordingly, the side static walls 51and the top static wall 53 are substantially perpendicular to andadjacent to each other (and the side static walls 51 are optionallysubstantially parallel to and spaced apart from each other). One sideedge 59 of each of the side static walls 51 is positioned or extendingalong and statically attached to a side edge 59 of the top static wall53 (and the other side edge 59 of the side static walls 51 is a freeedge and not attached to another wall in order to provide a space forthe patient's neck). Accordingly, both side edges 59 of the top staticwall 53 are attached to and extend along respective side edges 59 of thetwo side static walls 51, thereby forming two corners along oppositeside edges 59 of the top static wall 53. The top edges 56 of all of thestatic walls 50 are free edges and not attached to another wall in orderto provide space and an open area above the shield structure 20, whichmay be particularly beneficial in order to provide the patient 10 with avisually open space when facing upwards and to allow the practitioner toeasily access the patient 10.

According to one embodiment, the base portion of the static wall 50(that extends along the bottom edge 58 of the static wall 50) may bethicker than the top portion of the static wall 50 (that extends alongthe top edge 56 of the static wall 50) in order to improve theconnection between the static wall 50 and the lower wall 30, therebyimproving the support of the static wall 50 and the overall stability ofthe shield structure 20. For example, the static wall 50 may be taperedalong its height such that the static wall 50 does not intersect withthe lower wall 30 at exactly 90°.

Optionally, the static wall 50 may be a part of a wall set 90 (asdescribed further herein and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 9C) that includesboth the static wall 50 and a corresponding movable wall 70.Accordingly, the static wall 50 and the movable wall 70 are movablyattached and detachable (and reattachable) to each other. In order toinclude such a configuration, the static wall 50 includes a staticconnection portion 60 that includes at least one static guide 62 and atleast one receiver 66 attached to the outer surface 54 of the staticwall 50, as shown in FIGS. 6A-6B.

The static guide 62 is configured to interlock with the movable guide 82of the movable connection portion 80 (as described further herein). Asshown in FIG. 6A, the static connection portion 60 includes at least oneset of static guides 62. According to one embodiment, the staticconnection portion 60 includes at least two sets of static guides 62that are horizontally spaced apart from each other along the width ofthe static wall 50. Each of the sets of static guides 62 includesmultiple static guides 62. According to one embodiment, each of the setsof static guides 62 includes three static guides 62, although it isunderstood that each of the sets of static guides 62 can include anynumber of static guides 62. Within a set of static guides 62, the staticguides 62 are vertically aligned with each other (and vertically spacedapart from each other) in a row extending along the height of the staticwall 50.

As shown in FIG. 6B, each of the static guides 62 includes an extension63 and a catch portion 64 (e.g., a hook or latch). The extension 63extends substantially perpendicularly out from the outer surface 54 ofthe static wall 50, thereby spacing the catch portion 64 out from theouter surface 54 of the static wall 50. The catch portion 64 optionallyextends substantially perpendicularly to the extension 63 (and thereforesubstantially parallel to the outer surface 54 of the static wall 50).As shown in FIG. 6A (in view of FIG. 6B), the catch portion 64 may besubstantially cylindrical with substantially circular outer and innersurfaces. As shown in FIG. 6B, the extension 63 may be attached to amiddle portion of the catch portion 64 such that the catch portion 64extends beyond both sides of the extension 63 (since the extension 63has a smaller width than the catch portion 64). Accordingly, the staticguides 62 may have a “T-bolt” configuration.

The receivers 66 are configured to interlock with the fastener 86 of themovable connection portion 80 (as described further herein). As shown inFIG. 6A, multiple receivers 66 are positioned along the height of thestatic wall 50 and aligned vertically with each other (and spaced apartfrom each other vertically), thereby defining different discretepositions that the movable wall 70 (in particular the fastener 86) canbe locked into. The movable connection portion 80 may include any numberof receivers 66, according to the desired configuration (e.g., accordingto the desired number and location of positions that the movable wall 70can be locked into). According to one embodiment, the movable connectionportion 80 includes three or four receivers 66. The receivers 66 may beapertures, recesses, or holes that do not extend completely through thestatic wall 50 (in order to avoid any interference with the shieldingprovided by the static wall 50). The receivers 66 may be positionedalong and within a reinforced receiver support 68 that is attached tothe outer surface 54 of the static wall 50 (with, for example, anadhesive such as epoxy) such that the receivers 66 do not protrude atall into the outer surface 54 of the static wall 50. The receiversupport 68 may be constructed out of a variety of different supportivematerials, including but not limited to carbon fiber. According toanother embodiment, the receiver 66 may be a slot that extends along theheight of the static wall 50 and is configured to receive and be securedto the fastener 86.

The static wall 50 may have a variety of different dimensions, accordingto the desired configuration. For example, according to one embodimentas shown in FIG. 6A, the distance D1 between the center of one of thestatic guides 62 and the nearest side edge 59 of the static wall 50 maybe approximately 3.125 to 5 inches (for example, 4 inches), and thedistance D2 between the center of one of the top-most positioned staticguides 62 and the top edge 56 of the static wall 50 may be approximately0.5 inches. The distance D3 between the centers of two adjacent staticguides 62 within one set of static guides 62 may be approximately 1.75inches. The distance D4 between the center of the row of receivers 66and a side edge 59 of the static wall 50 may be approximately 5 to 7.5inches (for example, 6 inches). The distance D5 between the edge of thereceiver support 68 and the nearest side edge 59 of the static wall 50may be approximately 4.5 to 7 inches (for example, 5.5 inches).

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9A, the distance D6 between the side edge59 and the closest edge of the receiver support 68 may be approximately4.5 to 7 inches (for example, 5 inches), and the distance D7 between theside edge 59 and the furthest edge of the receiver support 68 may beapproximately 5.5 to 8 inches (for example, 7 inches). The depth D8 ofthe receiver support 68 may be approximately 0.3 inches, and the depthD9 of the static guide 62 may also be approximately 0.3 inches. Thewidth D10 of the extension 63 may be approximately 0.1 inches, and thewidth D11 of the catch portion 64 may be approximately 0.5 inches. Thedepth D12 of the extension 63 may be approximately 0.2 inches. Thethickness or depth D13 of the static wall 50 may be approximately 0.25inches.

Movable Wall

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the movable panels, shields, or walls 70 areconfigured to extend along the sides and top of the patient's head andneck in order to further block radiation 122 from entering into thepatient's head and/or neck from either side or the top of the patient 10(when the patient 10 is laying with their back against the top surfaceof the table 110 and facing the ceiling), in addition to the staticwalls 50. However, depending on the position of the patient 10 withrespect to the shield structure 20, the movable walls 70 may extendalong other portions of the patient's head and neck, such as the frontor back of the patient's head and neck. As described further herein, themovable walls 70 are movable between a retracted position 96 and anextended position 98 relative to the static walls 50 and the lower wall30 in order to optionally provide additional vertical shielding for thepatient's head and neck that is at least partially vertically above thestatic walls 50. By allowing the movable wall 70 to move, the amount andlocation of shielding can be customized to the particular radiologicprocedure and according to the position of the radiation source 120. Asdescribed further herein, the movable walls 70 may preferably includethe supporting layers 42 and the shielding layer 44.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7A-7B, the movable wall 70 includes an innersurface 72, an outer surface 74, a top edge 76, a bottom edge 78, andtwo side edges 79. The inner surface 72 and the outer surface 74 areopposite each other, optionally substantially parallel to each other,and significantly larger in surface area than each of the edges 76, 78,79. The top edge 76 and the bottom edge 78 are opposite each other andoptionally substantially parallel to each other. The two side edges 79are opposite each other and optionally substantially parallel to eachother. The inner surface 72 and the outer surface 74, the top edge 76and the bottom edge 78, and the two side edges 79 are substantiallyperpendicular to each other.

The movable walls 70 are positioned substantially vertically (i.e., areoptionally substantially perpendicular to the lower wall 30 and the topsurface of the table 110 and optionally substantially parallel to thestatic walls 50). The outer surface 74 of the movable wall 70 faces awayfrom an inner region of the shield structure 20 (i.e., where thepatient's head and neck are positioned) and away from the patient 10.The inner surface 72 of the movable wall 70 faces toward the patient 10and toward the inner region of the shield structure 20. Depending onposition of the patient's head within the shield structure 20 and wherethe movable wall 70 is positioned relative to the lower wall 30, theinner surface 72 of the movable wall 70 may face the top, sides, front,or back of the patient's head and neck when being used. Additionally,the inner surface 72 of the movable wall 70 faces toward the static wall50 (in particular toward the outer surface 54 of the static wall 50) andis configured to movably attach with the static wall 50 (as describedfurther herein).

Each of the movable walls 70 correspond to and are movably attached toone of the static walls 50, which are statically attached to the lowerwall 30 (as described further herein). Depending on the position of themovable wall 70 relative to the lower wall 30, the movable wall 70 iseither a side movable wall 71 or a top movable wall 73 (as shown in FIG.3). In particular, each of the side movable walls 71 are positioned orextend along one of the two side edges 39 of the lower wall 30 and oneof the two side static walls 51. The top movable wall 73 is positionedor extends along the top edge 36 of the lower wall 30 and the top staticwall 53. Accordingly, the side movable walls 71 and the top movable wall73 are optionally substantially perpendicular to and adjacent to eachother (and the side movable walls 71 are optionally substantiallyparallel to and spaced apart from each other).

In order to be independently movable relative to each other, the movablewalls 70 are only attached to the rest of the shield structure 20through a connection mechanism 94 (as described further herein) thatmovably attaches each of the inner surfaces 72 of the movable walls 70to a respective one of the static walls 50. Accordingly, the side edges79 of each of the movable walls 70 are not attached to each other. Evenfurther, the top edges 76, the bottom edges 78, and the side edges 79 ofall of the movable walls 70 are free edges and are not attached toanother wall or portion of the shield structure 20. By having the topedges 76 of the movable walls 70 as free edges, the shield structure 20provides space and an open area above the shield structure 20, which maybe particularly beneficial in order to provide the patient 10 with avisually open space when facing upwards and to allow the practitioner toeasily access the patient 10.

The movable wall 70 is a part of the wall set 90 (as described furtherherein and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 9C) that includes both the movablewall 70 and a corresponding static wall 50. Accordingly, the static wall50 and the movable wall 70 are movably attached and detachable (andreattachable) to each other. In order to include such a configuration,the movable wall 70 includes a movable connection portion 80 thatincludes at least one movable guide 82 and at least one fastener 86attached to the inner surface 72 of the movable wall 70, as shown inFIGS. 7A-7B.

The movable guide 82 is configured to interlock with the static guide 62of the static connection portion 60 (as described further herein) and isstatically attached to and movable with the movable wall 70. The movableconnection portion 80 may include any number of movable guides 82. Asshown in FIG. 7A, the movable connection portion 80 includes two movableguides 82 that are horizontally spaced apart from each other along thewidth of the movable wall 70. The movable guides 82 are verticallyoriented such that the movable guides 82 extend along at least a portionof height of the movable wall 70. According to one embodiment, themovable guides 82 extend along the entire height of the movable wall 70(i.e., from the bottom edge 78 to top edge 76) in order to allow themovable wall 70 to be securely moved along the entire distance betweenthe retracted position 96 and the extended position 98.

As shown in FIG. 7B, each of the movable guides 82 includes at least oneextension 83 and at least one catch portion 84 (e.g., a hook or latch).The extension 83 extends substantially perpendicularly out from theinner surface 72 of the movable wall 70, thereby spacing the catchportion 84 out from the inner surface 72 of the movable wall 70. Thecatch portion 84 optionally extends substantially perpendicularly to theextension 83 (and therefore optionally substantially parallel to theinner surface 72 of the movable wall 70). As shown in FIG. 7A, the catchportion 84 may extend along the height of the movable wall 70. As shownin FIG. 7B, the extension 83 may be attached to an end of the catchportion 84 such that the catch portion 84 extends to one side of theextension 83.

As shown in FIG. 7B, each of the movable guides 82 may include twoextensions 83 that are spaced apart from each other along the width ofthe movable wall 70. Each of the extensions 83 may have a correspondingcatch portion 84 that extends toward each other catch portion 84 of thatmovable guide 82, thereby forming a track, slot, clamp, or rail thatextends lengthwise along the height of the movable wall 70. The movableguide 82 may optionally further include a base 81 that extends along thelength of the movable guide 82, extends optionally parallel to the innersurface 72 of the movable wall 70, and is positioned in between both ofthe extensions 83 and the inner surface 72 of the movable wall 70,thereby connecting the extensions 83 to the inner surface 72.

The fastener 86 is configured to interlock with the receiver 66 of thestatic wall 50 (as described further herein). As shown in FIG. 7A, thefastener 86 is positioned close to or along the bottom edge 78 of themovable wall 70, which maximizes how much the movable wall 70 can beadjusted relative to and above the static wall 50. The fastener 86extends completely through the movable wall 70 in order to provide ahandle on the outer surface 74 of the movable wall 70 for thepractitioner to grasp (in order to adjust the position of the movablewall 70) and in order to extend into the receiver 66 on the static wall50 (in order to lock the movable wall 70 into a particular position).

The fastener 86 may be, for example, a bolt, a pin, a ring pull bolt,spring bolt, or a spring bolt lock. According to one embodiment, thefastener 86 may be a conventional spring plunger, as shown in FIGS.8A-8D. The spring plunger includes a shaft 87, a movable pin 88 (e.g., aplunger or detent), and a spring 89. The spring plunger may optionallyinclude threads, as shown in FIG. 8A. As shown in FIGS. 8B-8C, the pin88 is movable within the shaft 87. The spring 89, however, is positionedat least partially within the shaft 87 and biases the pin 88 to movetoward one side of the fastener 86 (i.e., away from the head of theshaft 87), as shown in FIG. 8B. The pin 88 may be retracted into theshaft 87 by moving the pin 88 against the biasing force of the spring 89relative to the shaft 87 (as shown in FIG. 8C).

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7B, the fastener 86 (that is the springplunger) is positioned such that at least the head of the pin 88 ispositioned along the outer surface 74 of the movable wall 70, with theshaft 87 extending at least partially through the movable wall 70.Accordingly, the pin 88 is biased to move further into and through themovable wall 70, in a direction away from the outer surface 74 of themovable wall 70, thereby protruding out from the inner surface 72 of themovable wall 70. As described further herein, when the pin 88 is alignedwith one of the receivers 66 and released, the spring 89 automaticallymoves the pin 88 toward and into the receiver 66, thereby locking themovable wall 70 into place.

The movable wall 70 may have a variety of different dimensions,according to the desired configuration. For example, according to oneembodiment as shown in FIG. 9B, the distance D14 between the side edge79 and the closest edge of the closest movable guide 82 may beapproximately 2.75 to 4.62 inches (for example, 3.5 inches), and thedistance D15 between the side edge 79 and the furthest edge of theclosest movable guide 82 may be approximately 3.5 to 5.37 inches (forexample, 4.25 inches). The distance D16 between the side edge 79 and theclosest edge of the fastener 86 may be approximately 4.5 to 7 inches(for example, 5 inches), and the distance D17 between the side edge 79and the furthest edge of the fastener 86 may be approximately 5.5 to 8inches (for example, 7 inches).

Additionally, the depth D18 of the movable guide 82 may be approximately0.3 inches, the distance D19 between the closest ends of the two catchportions 84 may be approximately 0.2 inches, and the distance D20between the catch portion 84 and the base 81 may be approximately 0.2inches. The thickness or depth D21 of the movable wall 70 may beapproximately 0.125 inches.

According to another embodiment, the movable guide 82 may alternativelyhave the configuration of the static guide 62, and vice versa.

Wall Set

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 9C, the shield structure 20 may include at leastone wall set 90 that includes a static wall 50 and a correspondingmovable wall 70 that are optionally substantially parallel to each otherand movably attached to each other. The shield structure 20 may includemultiple wall sets 90 (for example, three wall sets 90) that areattached to the lower wall 30. Each of the wall sets 90 includes aconnection mechanism 94 (as described further herein) that movablyattaches the movable wall 70 to the static wall 50.

Depending on the position of the wall set 90 relative to the lower wall30, the wall set 90 is either a side wall set 91 or a top wall set 93(as shown in FIG. 3). In particular, the side wall set 91 includes aside static wall 51 and a side movable wall 71, each of which aredescribed further herein. The top wall set 93 includes a top static wall53 and a top movable wall 73, each of which are also described furtherherein.

Although three wall sets 90 are shown, the shield structure 20 mayinclude any number of wall sets 90 (or any number of independent staticwalls 50) (i.e., more or less than three wall sets 90 or than threestatic walls 50) depending on the desired configuration, depending onthe shape and size of the lower wall 30, and in order to optimize theshielding and surround the patient's head and neck while providing thepractitioner access to the patient's head and neck. Each of the wallsets 90 may be different or the same sizes.

Furthermore, each of the wall sets 90 may have different shapes,depending on the desired configuration. For example, the static wall 50and the movable wall 70 may each be substantially flat. According toanother embodiment, the static wall 50 and/or the movable wall 70 may beat least partially curved.

However, according to another embodiment, the shield structure 20 mayhave only independent static walls 50 (i.e., without any correspondingmovable walls 70) or may include some static walls 50 without acorresponding movable wall 70 and some static walls 50 with acorresponding movable wall 70.

Connection Mechanism

As shown in FIGS. 6A-9C, the shield structure 20 includes at least oneconnection mechanism 94 that movably and adjustably attaches the movablewall 70 to the static wall 50 in order to allow the movable wall 70 tomove and be adjusted between the retracted position 96 and the extendedposition 98. Furthermore, the connection mechanism 94 allows the movablewall 70 to be completely removed from (and reattached to) the staticwall 50 in order to easily clean or sanitize the various parts of theshield structure 20.

In particular, the connection mechanism 94 movably attaches the innersurface 72 of the movable wall 70 to the outer surface 54 of the staticwall 50. Accordingly, the connection mechanism 94 includes the movableconnection portion 80 (as described further herein) that is located onand included as a part of the movable wall 70 and the static connectionportion 60 (as described further herein) that is located on and includedas a part of the static wall 50. The movable connection portion 80 andthe static connection portion 60 are complementary to and correspondwith each other.

The size of the various components of the movable connection portion 80and the static connection portion 60 are complementary to each other inorder to allow the various components of the movable connection portion80 and the static connection portion 60 to interlock and fit with eachother. Additionally, the respective positions of the various componentsof the movable connection portion 80 and the static connection portion60 correspond and align with each other in order to allow the variouscomponents of the movable connection portion 80 and the staticconnection portion 60 to attach each other. The number of sets of staticguides 62 and the number of movable guides 82 also correspond to eachother.

As shown in FIG. 9C, the movable guides 82 and the static guides 62interlock with each other in order to guide the vertical movement of themovable wall 70 between the retracted position 96 and the extendedposition 98. Additionally, by interlocking with each other, the movableguides 82 and the static guides 62 horizontally secure the movable wall70 relative to the static wall 50 once the movable wall 70 is lockedinto a certain position. In order to interlock with each other, thecatch portions 64 of the static guides 62 are moved or slide into anopening within the movable guide 82 (through the top or bottom of themovable guide 82). This opening within the movable guide 82 extendsalong the length of the movable guide 82 (and along the length of themovable wall 70) and is formed between the pairs of extensions 83 andbetween the catch portions 84 and the base 81. When attached to eachother, the extensions 63 of the static guides 62 extend through the gapbetween the two catch portions 84 of the movable guide 82. The catchportions 64 and 84 prevent the movable guides 82 and the static guides62 from horizontally detaching from each other.

As further shown in FIG. 9C, the receiver 66 and the fastener 86interlock with each other in order to lock the movable wall 70 intoposition (relative to the static wall 50) and to vertically secure themovable wall 70 relative to the static wall 50. In order to interlockwith each other, the practitioner releases the fastener 86, whichautomatically moves the pin 88 away from the inner surface 72 of themovable wall 70 (and thereby toward the outer surface 54 of the staticwall 50, in particular toward the outer surface of the receiver support68). Once the pin 88 is aligned with one of the receivers 66, the pin 88can move further away from the inner surface 72 of the movable wall 70by moving into the receiver 66, thereby securing the fastener 86 and thereceiver 66 together.

Shield Structure Use and Adjustment

In order to use the shield structure 20, the shield structure 20 maysimply be placed on the top surface of the table 110, and the patient 10may position their head in the inner area of the shield structure 20.Without any modifications or mechanical attachments to the table 110 orany further adjustments, the shield structure 20 provides radiationshielding to the patient's head and neck. Accordingly, the shieldstructure 20 is easily usable within radiologic procedures and can beused by the practitioner with a minimal understanding of radiationprotection in order to provide maximum head and neck radiationprotection of the patient.

The shield structure may be used with static walls or walls maintainedin a static position, as shown in certain disclosed embodiments.Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 10A-11B, the shield structure 20 may beeasily vertically adjusted in order to provide additional shielding, ifdesired. Accordingly, at least one of the movable walls 70 may be movedvertically between the retracted position 96 and the extended position98 relative to the static wall 50 before, during, and/or after theradiologic procedure in order to customize the amount and location ofshielding from radiation 122 to the patient's head and neck and toprovide more or less access to the patient's head and neck for thepractitioner. The amount and positioning of shielding of the patient'shead and neck may depend on the views for examination that are needed,the angle of the radiation 122, where and how the practitioner needs toaccess the patient 10, and the position of the radiation source 120.

Each of the movable walls 70 can be movable between and secured into theretracted position 96 (as shown in FIGS. 10A and 11A), into a variety ofdifferent partially retracted (or partially extended) positions that arebetween the retracted position 96 and the extended position 98, or intothe extended position 98 (as shown in FIGS. 10B and 11B), depending onthe desired amount of shielding and amount of access to the patient'shead and neck for the practitioner. The location and number of partiallyretracted (or partially extended) positions that the movable wall 70 canbe secured into depends on the number of receivers 66. In the retractedposition 96, the shield structure 20 provides the maximum amount ofaccess to the patient's head and neck for the practitioner. In theextended position 98, the shield structure 20 provides the maximumamount of radiation shielding to the patient's head and neck.

In order to move the movable wall 70, the practitioner first grasps aportion of the fastener 86 (such as the head of the pin 88) and pullsthe pin 88 in a direction out of the movable wall 70 and away from themovable wall 70 and the static wall 50, thereby overcoming the biasingforce of the spring 89, moving the pin 88 out of the receiver 66, andunlocking the movable wall 70 from the static wall 50. The practitionercan then move or slide the movable wall 70 up or down (depending on theoriginal position of the movable wall 70) into the desired position.Once the desired position is reached, the practitioner releases the pin88, which allows the spring 89 to automatically move the pin 88 furtherback into the movable wall 70 and toward the static wall 50. Once thepin 88 is aligned with one of the receivers 66, the spring 89automatically moves the pin 88 further toward the static wall 50 andinto the receiver 66 (i.e., back to its original position relative tothe movable wall 70), thereby locking the movable wall 70 to the staticwall 50.

Since the movable walls 70 are only attached to the rest of the shieldstructure 20 through the connection mechanism 94, all of the movablewalls 70 are independently adjustable and movable between the retractedposition 96 and the extended position 98. This configuration allows thepractitioner to more easily access certain areas of the patient's headand neck during the radiologic procedure while still minimizing theradiation exposure to the patient's head and neck. Accordingly, some ofthe movable walls 70 may be positioned in the retracted position 96while other movable walls 70 may be positioned in the extended position98, as shown in FIGS. 10A-10B and 12A-12C. For example, as shown in FIG.10A, all of the movable walls 70 are in the retracted position 96. Asshown in FIG. 12A, only the top movable wall 73 is in the extendedposition 98, and both of the side movable walls 71 are in the retractedposition 96. As shown in FIG. 12B, only one of the side movable walls 71is in the extended position 98, and the top movable wall 73 and theother side movable wall 71 are both in the retracted position 96. Asshown in FIG. 12C, the top movable wall 73 and one of the side movablewalls 71 are both in the extended position 98, and the other sidemovable wall 71 is in the retracted position 96. As shown in FIG. 10B,all of the movable walls 70 are in the extended position 98.Additionally, the shield structure 20 may be adjusted such that both ofthe side movable walls 71 are in the extended position 98, and the topmovable wall 73 is in the retracted position 96.

FIG. 13 shows how the shield structure 20 is open above the static walls50 and movable walls 70, which allows the practitioner to easily accessthe patient 10 from above the shield structure 20 while the patient 10is protected from the sides, top, and bottom of their head and neck fromradiation 122 due to the shield structure 20. FIG. 14 shows how theshield structure 20 protects the top of the patient's head.

Shield Structure with Skirt Assembly

FIG. 22 shows a patient 10 on an examination table 110 without theshield structure 20 and demonstrates how areas of the patient 10 outsideof the examination area 12, in particular the patient's head and neck,are exposed to radiation during imaging without the shield structure 20.According to one embodiment as shown in FIGS. 23-26, the shieldstructure 20 includes a skirt assembly 130 that is configured to provideadditional shielding from radiation from an area along the sides of andbelow the table 110. In particular, the skirt assembly 130 is configuredto extend below the base 22 of the radiation assembly 20, along thesides of and below the table 110.

In particular, the table 110 has a bottom surface 112 and a top surface114 that are directly opposite each other. As shown in FIG. 23, thepatient 10 lays on top of the top surface 114, and the base 22 of theshield assembly 20 is positioned above the table 110, along the topsurface 114 of the table 110. The radiation source 120 is positionedbelow the table 110, along the bottom surface 112 of the table 110. Thebase 22, which is the portion of the shield assembly 20 that thepatient's head and neck are positioned within and surrounded by andincludes lower wall 30 and static walls 50 (movable walls 70 are notused in this embodiment, but could be), is positioned on top of thetable 110, along the top surface 114 of the table 110. The skirtassembly 130 is attached to the base 22 of the shield assembly 20 (suchas to the lower wall 30 and/or the static walls 50) by a conventionalconnection mechanism and extends along at least a portion of the sidesurfaces 116 of the table 110 (where the side surfaces 116 extendbetween the top surface 114 and the bottom surface 112) and below thebottom surface 112 of the table 110.

The skirt assembly 130 comprises at least one shield or skirt 132 thatextends below and hangs downward relative to the base 22 of the shieldassembly 20. For example, the skirt assembly 130 may include multipleskirts 132 (e.g., a first skirt, a second skirt, third skirt, etc.) thatare disposed on, positioned along, and extend from different sides ofthe base 22, or the skirt assembly 130 may include a single skirt thatis disposed on, positioned along, and extends from such different sidesof the base 22. The skirt assembly 130 (e.g., each of the skirts 132)extends along at least a portion of one of the side surfaces 116 of thetable 110 and below the bottom surface 112 of the table 110. The skirts132 may be statically attached to a variety of different portions of thebase 22, such as to the lower wall 30 and/or to the static walls 50.

According to one embodiment, a first skirt 132 is disposed on a firstside (e.g., left side) of the lower wall 30, a second skirt is disposedon a second side (e.g., right side) of the lower wall 30 (where thefirst and second sides are opposite each other), and a third skirt 132is disposed on a third side (e.g., above the patient's head, so as toextend from the first skirt to the second skirt). The first and secondskirts 132 hang downward relative to the lower wall 30 such that thefirst and second skirts 132 extend below the bottom surface 112 of thetable 110 on opposite sides of the table 110. Since the first and secondskirts 132 are positioned on opposite sides of the table 110, medicalpersonnel (such as a practitioner) may extend or dispose a body part(such as their legs) near or between the first, second, and/or thirdskirts 132 during use, which provides additional radiation protection tothe medical personnel.

The skirt assembly 130 (e.g., each of the skirts 132) is constructed outof and includes at least a radiation-attenuating material (such as lead)in order to block radiation. Additional structural layers or materialsmay be alternatively provided for the skirt assembly.

According to this embodiment, the shield structure 20 can include aplurality of walls (e.g., a lower or bottom wall 30 and at least oneside wall 50), that can be made of the same materials and generallyconfigured as described in connection with the prior embodiments.However, in this embodiment, the side walls have different shape, anddimensions (in inches) of a preferred embodiment for an adult-sizedshield structure are shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 (a pediatric shieldstructure may have smaller dimensions). While this shield structure canbe used without a skirt assembly 130, it is preferred that a skirtassembly is used.

It is understood that the various relative positions, dimensions, andsizes of the various components of the shield structure 20 are exemplaryonly and may be changed according to the desired configuration.

The embodiments disclosed herein provide a head and neck radiationshield structure. Besides those embodiments depicted in the figures anddescribed in the above description, other embodiments of the presentinvention are also contemplated. For example, any single feature of oneembodiment of the present invention may be used in any other embodimentof the present invention.

Given the disclosure of the present invention, one versed in the artwould appreciate that there may be other embodiments and modificationswithin the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, allmodifications attainable by one versed in the art from the presentinvention within the scope and spirit of the present invention are to beincluded as further embodiments of the present invention.

1. A shield structure configured to protect a head and/or neck of a patient during a radiologic procedure, comprising: a bottom shield that includes radiation attenuating material and that is configured to be positioned between the head and/or neck of the patient and a radiation source so as to shield the patient from radiation directed toward the bottom of the patient, wherein the bottom shield is of a general size to shield the head and/or neck of the patient; a side shield wall that includes radiation attenuating material and that is configured to extend upward relative to the bottom shield so as to shield the patient from radiation directed toward a side of the patient; and an opening configured to receive the head and/or neck of the patient.
 2. The shield structure of claim 1, wherein the bottom shield and the side shield are a continuous, unitary structure.
 3. The shield structure of claim 1, wherein the bottom shield and the side shield are separate structures.
 4. The shield structure of claim 1, wherein side shield includes a front portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion.
 5. The shield structure of claim 4, wherein the front portion, the first side portion, and the second side portion are a continuous, unitary structure.
 6. The shield structure of claim 4, wherein the front portion, the first side portion, and the second side portion are separate structures.
 7. The shield structure of claim 1, wherein the side shield includes a movable portion that is movable substantially vertically relative to the bottom shield between a retracted position and extended position, wherein the side shield provides greater shielding to the patient when the movable portion is in the extended position.
 8. The shield structure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the bottom shield and the side shield include a shielding layer that includes the radiation attenuating material, and a first structural layer that supports and at least partially covers the shielding layer.
 9. The shield structure of claim 8, wherein at least one of the bottom shield and the side shield further includes a second structural layer that supports and at least partially covers the shielding layer.
 10. The shield structure of claim 8, wherein the radiation attenuating material includes lead.
 11. The shield structure of claim 8, wherein first structural layer is formed of a material provides a resilient barrier to, and that will not be denatured by, EPA-registered hospital disinfectants.
 12. The shield structure of claim 11, wherein the first structural layer includes carbon fiber.
 13. The shield structure of claim 1, further comprising a first skirt disposed on a first side of the bottom shield and that hangs downward relative to the bottom shield, and a second skirt disposed on a second side of the bottom shield and that hangs downward relative to the bottom shield, wherein each of the first and second skirts includes radiation attenuating material.
 14. A method of protecting a head and/or neck of a patient during a radiologic procedure, comprising: positioning the head and/or neck of the patient in a shield structure, wherein the shield structure has a bottom shield that includes radiation attenuating material and is positioned between the head and/or neck of the patient and a radiation source, and a side shield that includes radiation attenuating material and extends upward relative to the bottom shield; and exposing the patient to radiation to conduct the radiologic procedure.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising extending a movable portion of the side shield from a retracted position to an extended position to provide greater shielding to the patient during the radiologic procedure.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising disposing a body part of medical personnel between a first skirt disposed on a first side of the bottom shield and that hangs downward relative to the bottom shield, and a second skirt disposed on a second side of the bottom shield and that hangs downward relative to the bottom shield, wherein each of the first and second skirts includes radiation attenuating material. 